A wave of outrage has swept across Nigeria following a policy change that is stripping retired civil servants of their access to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The country’s pensioners, having dedicated their most productive years to national service, are now finding themselves cut off from essential medical coverage precisely when they need it most.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS) has fiercely condemned the decision, labelling it both unfair and inhumane. Mr. John Bisan, the National Secretary of NUPCPS, voiced the union’s strong displeasure, revealing that retirees are removed from the NHIS as soon as they reach the age of 60 or retire from public service, even at 55.
“I cannot serve my country for 35 good years… only to be told after retirement that I am not entitled to free healthcare,” Mr. Bisan lamented during a recent enlightenment workshop held in Lagos. He pointed out the grave irony: this is the time in their lives when health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart conditions are prevalent, yet many senior citizens are left financially unable to afford necessary medication and treatment.
The union warned that this policy failure is directly linked to the preventable deaths of many pensioners who simply cannot afford drugs or basic medical tests. Mr. Bisan drew a sharp contrast with the treatment of the elderly in other nations, questioning why Nigeria cannot emulate countries like the UK and the US, where senior citizens typically enjoy access to free healthcare. He insisted that the government must reinstate free healthcare for all retirees immediately.
In response to these serious concerns, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) acknowledged the importance of social protection for the elderly. Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, the Director-General of PenCom, stated that the Commission has launched a new initiative to provide free healthcare access specifically for low-income retirees within the Contributory Pension Scheme. This move, she assured, is a vital part of PenCom’s commitment to ensuring dignity for those in their old age.
However, stakeholders at the workshop emphasised that this partial measure is not enough. They issued a collective plea to the Federal and State Governments, urging them to make the welfare of pensioners a national priority. They demanded that concrete steps be taken to fully reinstate NHIS coverage for all retirees, arguing that the well-being of those who served the nation diligently is the clearest reflection of the country’s own commitment to honour. The consensus remains that all former public servants deserve the security of comprehensive health coverage after their decades of labour.
